Recognition Round-Up

May 18, 2020
A weekly report of Spiders at their best

Each week during the University's modified operating status, HR will collect stories about the amazing work that faculty and staff have done to transition to remote classes and work, to maintain the campus during a pandemic, and to contribute to our greater community. Submit your stories to sbuschin@richmond.edu

University Recreation Donates Lunch to Local ICU Nurses

A big shout out to the University Recreation staff for collecting money to donate lunch for twenty-five nurses in a local intensive care unit, including a University of Richmond alumnus.

Director of University Recreation, Marti Tomlin, shared this note with the staff: “I heard from [one of the nurses] last night and she said the food was 'PERFECT. So, so, so, so many people were thankful and wanted to express how awesome it was and so appreciated.' THANK YOU all for supporting our (former) students and these nurses. I appreciate you too.”

- Tom Roberts, Associate Vice President, Health & Welling Being

Faculty & Staff Members Share Messages for First Generation Graduates

The 2020 First Generation Cording Ceremony was held virtually this month. The ceremony featured nineteen videotaped messages from UR faculty and staff wishing the students well on their graduations. Staff from Admission, Communications, even HR, many of whom themselves were first-gen, sent taped messages for the graduates. Watch the video here.

- Lisa Miles, Associate Director, Common Ground

Dining Employees Serve Special Graduation Meal to On-Campus Seniors

Dining Services provided a special meal for the graduating seniors who remained on campus on May 10 as part of their meal pickup services. Terry Baker, Executive Director of Dining Services, worked with her team, including Tyler Betzhold, Vincent Savage, Megan Freeman, Richard Thomas, Peg Peebles, Earl Lee, Dave Bevan, Amanda Boyd, Piera Balsamo, Josh Hollaway, Ray Causey, Rachel Snyder, and Ed Edwards, to create the meal. They provided seniors with a shrimp cocktail, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a graduation card along with the rest of their meal. Read the full message from Steve Bisese here.

Tyler Betzhold Holds Cooking Demo for Alumni

Over the past two months, Dining Services has received many requests for their Jersey Dirt recipe via social media. Olivia Wolfson, Associate Director, Campus Events and Volunteer Engagement for the Office of Alumni Services, and Tyler Betzhold, Executive Chef at the Heilman Dining Center, collaborated to hold a virtual cooking demonstration on May 14 for alumni to showcase this much-loved recipe!

Faculty & Staff Recognized in End-of-Year Awards

Captain Eric Beatty of the URPD, '00 & GC '12, recently received the Gibb Family Distinguished Alumni Award. Eric Beatty graduated from the University of Richmond in 2000 with a bachelor's degree and SPCS in 2012 with a master's degree in HR Management. He served on the SPCS Alumni Association Board from 2012-2019 and was the Board's president from 2017-2019. He currently serves on the SPCS Dean's Ambassadors Circle.

Ed Cook, visiting instructor of management, received The Richmond MBA's Outstanding Professor of the Year. Ed was selected by current MBA students who said:

  • "Ed went above and beyond to teach to each student in our Data Analytics class. He has continued to be a valuable resource, mentor, and friend to us even after completing his class last semester."
  • "He truly cares about each of his students and everyone knew that. We weren't left wondering."
  • "He was always willing and able to meet outside of class time and accommodate our busy schedules. Coming to campus on weekends and various times throughout the day. He would check in to make sure we were doing OK and to see if we had any questions."

Dr. Michelle Kahn, assistant professor of history, was the 2020 recipient of the Omicron Delta Kappa Faculty Member of the Year. The student members of ODK chose Dr. Kahn because they feel she embodies the ODK Ideals of scholarship, service, integrity, character, and fellowship.

Campus Operations

Read all recognition of the Campus Operations team here.

HR COVID-19 Resources

HR Interim Policies

HR COVID-19 Benefits Resources

Remote Work Resources

Supervisor COVID-19 Resources

Submissions

Submit recognition of a colleague or team to sbuschin@richmond.edu